Indurated keratin compound.



UNITED STA'IIES PAEENT GFFICE. I

BYRON B. GOLDSMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INDURATED KERATIN COMPOUND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

No Drawing. Original application filed October 7, 1907, Serial No. 396,189. Divided and this application filed January 4, 1912. Serial No. 669,512.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BYRON B. GOLDSMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city and county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indurated Keratin Compounds; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This present application for patent is a division of application filed by me October 7, 1907, Serial Number 396,189.

This invention has relation to an improved thermoplastic compound formed by treatment of keratin and substances containing keratin, as Well as their compounds and derivatives. This class of substances comprises many compounds most complex, varied and often unstable in composition cl'iaracteristics and behavior, and it is very possible that. in carrying out certain forms of my invention changes will take place in the character of the materials acted upon; but such changes when they occur are not to be understood as removing the process or composition outside the scope of my invention, which is identified rather by the nature of the materials as they exist when the process is begun, in each case.

In my U. Patent Number 840,931, dated January 8th 1907 I have described a process whereby a thermoplastic compound may be made from casein or its derivatives, as a convenient and cheap substitute for celluloid, rubber and the like; and I made it clear in said patent'that the term thermoplastic was meant to describe those masses which, while relatively hard at ordinary temperatures, are rendered softer by heat, so as to permit the uniting of separate masses and the melding of any mass to any desired sha e.

hfy present invention is based upon the "discovery that, by uniting the action of con- "iverting agents with that of formaldehyde 1611 its equivalentsupon keratin and sub- Qt nces'largely containing keratin as Well as cognate derivatives and compounds, an IIIIPIOVGCI result is obtained, and the respective actions of the formaldehyde and converting agent are not destroyed. 1 Various processes have been proposed 1nvolving the treatment of casein, with formaldehyde, and I do not herein claim such processes or their equivalents.

My novel invention is based upon the dis covery that the three principal elements of my compound, namely kcratina converting agenwand formaldehyde or its equivalent can be combined substantially as herein described without destroying the effect of either of the three upon the final result.

The converting agent in my process is that chemical substance which, when combined .or admixed with the keratin acts whenever heated, to soften the same, but whose softening action is suspended or materially diminished upon lowering the temperature of the mass. Some of these converting agents are alpha naphthol, beta-naphthol, bcnzoic acid, carbolic acid, hydrochinone, cresol, pyrocatechin, resorcin, salicylic acid, urea, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, phloroglucin, pyrogallol, paratoluidin, naphthylamin, benzidin, oxy-naphthoic acid, anilin, toluidin and xylidin. Although these substances and their derivatives and compounds are known to me to give good results for the purposes above set forth, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to these substances and their derivatives and compounds, but that the term converting agent as used herein refers to any compound of substance having the effect described.

The mode of action of these converting agents is not altogether clear. In some cases it is probably due to partial solution of the keratin when heated, but I do not confine myself to any theory of action nor is it essential to my invention whether or not there is a chemical combination between the keratin and the converting agent. I have discovered that the best results are obtained by the use of solid reagents such as alpha or beta naphthol and I have claimed this variant of my process and product specifically herein. Where flexibility desired in the product, however, I have discovered that a liquid converting agent or other liquid not antagonistic to the mixture may be combined with asolid converting agent to great advantage.

Certain converting agents are better adapted to be used with some forms of keratin than with others. I have also found that it is not' necessary to isolate the keratin acted upon in any case or to use it in a pure form,

4 treatment as is described in my patent aforesaid in connection with casein; that is to say they may be united with a suitable converting agent on and. between suitably heated rolls, or any other method of uniting these substances may be resorted to by which they are brought into intimate contact. Instead of using the converting agents in their natural state they may be first dissolved in alcohol, water or other suitable liquid which is afterward driven ed by heat.

One of the practicable proportions which I have used is the following: Take four pounds of keratin, dry and sprinkle the same with one pound of beta naphthol dissolved in alcohol. This is then well mixed, preferably on suitably heated rolls, and, when the mixture is completed, the mass is re moved and is soft while hot but hardens on cooling. In this manner sheets of thermoplastic material are produced which are quite plastic while hot, but harden on cooling. Scraps of various substances may be mixed in with the masses thus formed in considerable quantities. Among these are celluloid scraps, finely divided albuminoids, bits of horn, rubber, resins, gums, and coloring mtter. fillers can also e incorporated without departing from this invention. The qualities of the thermoplastic compounds thus formed are greatly improved in certain respects by treatment with an indurating agent such as formaldchyde or its equivalent. The term indurating agent as herein-used applies to those agents, like, formaldehyde, which give to the compound greater toughness and permanency, increasing the resistance to the action of water and lessening the tendency to separation of ingredients. Another advantage of using the indurating agent is that it lessens thepossible tendency of the mass to stick to the mold in forming, and thus produces a better impression.

My invention covers the use of an indurating agent in connection with a converting agent, whether the one or the other of these agents be used alone or the twobe mixed and applied simultaneously.

Where the converting agent is first employed various modified methods may be used. If only surface hardness is required, the desired form can be given to any article made of the compound formed as above de- C npouneing substances or inmost eous action (where formaldehyde is used).

This treatment is prolonged according to the depth of hardening required.

If the action is so prolonged upon any given mass as to allow the treatment to reach the whole of it, it becomes brittle and the thermoplastic properties are somewhat impaired, that is to say the degrees of heat and pressure which must be used for molding purposes are more intense. When suitable heat and pressure are applied, however, a tough strong mass is obtained.

My preferred process is carried out by sprinkling the combined eratin and converting agent in a powdered state with a solution of the indurating agent and then after drying applying suitable heat and pressure in a mold. My process may also be carried out by first treating the keratin or its derivative or compound with the indurating agent and, after the more or less complete actionof the latter, adding the converting agent. My invention also covers the mixing of the indurating material with the converting agent so that-the two are added together to the keratin.

I have found that, in order to produce the best results, the converting agent or agents employed should be non-hygroscopic, by which I mean that they should not have the property of extracting moisture from the atmosphere. For this reason I have made specific claims for the use of non-hygroscopic converting agents. All of the agents which I have named above belong to this class.

In my claims the term keratin covers substances principally composed of keratin and derivatives and compounds'of keratin. The term converting agent covers any equivalent of the converting agents above specifically named; that is to say any agent which, on admixture with keratin or its equivalent will form a union whereby it becomes more or less plastic as its temperature is raisgd or lowered. An indurating agent is any equivalent of formaldehyde for the purposes of myaimproved process; that is to say any suitable agent which toughens the thermoplastic mass described and increases its stability. The use of two or more kinds of converting agents or indurating agents is also covered by my claims.

"What I claim is 1. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in subjecting.

keratin to the-combined action of a conyerting agent and an indurating agent, and

keratin to the combined action of a nor- 4. The process of producing a thermoplas tic compound which consists in intimately mixing with keratin a solid converting agent and an indurating agent, and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure, substantially as described.

5. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound WlllCll-COIISlStS in subjecting keratin to the modifying action of 'a solid converting agent and of an indurating agent, substantiall as described.

6. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in subjecting keratin to the modifying action of a solid non-volatile converting agent and of an indurating agent, substantially as described.

7. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in subjecting keratin to the modifying action of a solid, non-volatile and non-hygroscopic converting agent and of an indurating agent, substatially as described.

8. The process of producing a thermoplastic composition which consists in first subjecting keratin to the action of an indurating agent and then uniting the resulting product with a converting agent itself unmodified by induration previous to its union with the keratin, substantially as described.

9. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in first uniting keratin with a solid converting agent and an indurating agent, and then heating and rolling the same before the action of the indurating agent is complete, substantially as described.

10. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in uniting keratin with a solid converting agent and formaldehyde, substantiall as described.

11. The process of pro ucing a thermoplastic compound which consists in subjecting keratin to the modifying action of betanaphthol and of an indurating agent, sub-f tantially as described.

12. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in subjecting keratin to the modifying action of betanaphthol and formaldehyde, substantially as described.

13. The process of producing a thermoplastic compound which consists in intimately mixing keratin with beta-naphthol and an indurating agent and subjectmg the mass to heat and pressure, substantially as described.

14. A composition of matter consisting of keratin united with a solid converting agent and an indurating agent, substantially as described.

15. A composition of matter consisting of keratin united with a solid converting agent and formaldehyde, substantially as described.

16. A composition of matter consisting of keratin united with beta-naphthol and an indurating agent, substantially as described.

17. A composition of matter consisting of keratin united with beta-naphthol and formaldehyde, substantiall as described.

18. A composition 0 matter consisting of keratin united with a solid non-volatile converting agent and an indurating agent, substantially as described.

19. A composition of matter consisting of keratin united with a solid non-volatile and non-hygroscopic converting agent and formaldehy e, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

BYRON B. GOLDSMITH.

Witnesses:

FRANK DREW, F. J. WRAY. 

